Joint

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a joint ( 1 ) with an axis of rotation X comprising  
     a core ( 2 ) made of metal or plastic;  
     an outer shell ( 7, 8 ) made of metal or plastic as well; as well as  
     a pad ( 11, 12 ) made of elastomeric material, said pad being arranged between the core and the outer shell.  
     Now, the joint ( 1 ) as defined by the invention is characterized in that  
     the core ( 2 ) is provided with two studs ( 3, 4 ) arranged vertically at 180° from each other and extending in the direction of the axis of rotation X;  
     the outer shell is comprised of two half-shells ( 7, 8 ), whereby each half-shell is provided with a reinforcing segment ( 9, 10 ); whereby a bore with a bore base is present within each segment; and whereby the corresponding stud ( 3, 4 ) penetrates the associated bore; and that  
     each stud ( 3, 4 ) is surrounded by a pad ( 11, 12 ) and received in the associated bore, and whereby, furthermore, the two pads are arranged insulated against each other.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a joint with an axis of rotation X that is comprising at least the following components:

[0002] a core made of metal or plastic (for example based on polyphenylene ether);

[0003] an outer shell also made of metal or plastic; as well as

[0004] a pad made of elastomeric material that is arranged between the core and the outer shell.

[0005] The material metal is of special importance for the core and the outer shell, forming a metal-and rubber joint (Megi® joint).

[0006] Constructions made with non-elastomeric materials are frequently employed for permitting large angles of torsion in joints. The joint is embodied in this connection in the form of a ball-like, sliding pairing (metal/sliding material), so that mobility is possible around all axes.

[0007] An elastic joint with the structure of the type of joint specified above is described in patent document DE 34 19 967 C2. Provision is made in this patent for a core with a belly extending all around. The pad made of elastomeric material, which is extending all around as well, is clamped between the cylindrical outer shell (sleeve) and the core. The joint can be stressed both radially and axially, whereby deflections and angles of distortion of the type occurring in universal joints, are possible as well.

[0008] Now, for the purpose of permitting large angles of torsion around only one axis, the aim is to provide a joint of the type specified above, which, in addition to realizing large angles of torsion around one axis, is capable of absorbing high forces perpendicular to the axis of rotation X as well. Such high forces occur as a result of the resetting moment occurring when the joint is subjected to torsional strain.

[0009] Said problem is solved according to the characterizing part of claim 1 in that

[0010] the core is provided with two studs arranged vertically at 180° from each other and extending in the direction of the axis of rotation X;

[0011] the outer shell is comprised of two half-shells, whereby each half-shell is provided with a reinforcing segment, whereby in turn a bore with a bore base is present inside each segment, and whereby the corresponding stud penetrates the associated bore; and that

[0012] a pad encloses each stud and enters the respective bore as well, and whereby, furthermore, the two pads are arranged insulated against each other.

[0013] Useful further developments of the joint as defined by the invention, which is used particularly in systems for driving along the gudgeon in a rail-borne vehicle, are specified in claims 2 to 16.

[0014] For assuring the permanent function, it is especially useful if the pad consisting of elastomeric material is initially tensioned in the direction of the stud ends against the latter. This is made possible by arranging the half-shells out of center, which, when initially tensioned against each other, are then forming a closed ring.

[0015] Now, the invention is explained in the following with the help of exemplified embodiments and by reference to drawings, in which:

[0016] FIGS. 1 to 3 show three different views of a joint;

[0017] FIGS. 4 to 6 show three different views of a core with a stud;

[0018] FIGS. 7 to 9 show three different views of a half-shell with a bore;

[0019]FIG. 10 shows a joint with an additional sliding bush.

[0020] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a joint 1, the cylindrical core 2 of which is provided with the studs 3 and 4, which are arranged vertically at 180° in relation to each other and extend in the direction of the axis of rotation X. The cross section areas of these studs are substantially circular. The pads 11 and 12, which are made of elastomeric material, each almost completely surround in this connection the studs (FIG. 1) in the form of cups (pots), whereby the ratio of the diameter “D” of the studs and the layer thickness “S” of the pads amounts to

D:S=2:1 to 6:1.

[0021] The particularly useful parameters in this regard are as follows:

D:S=3:1 to 5:1, particularly 4:1.

[0022] Furthermore, it is useful if these pads, which each have a convex shape, are initially tensioned in the direction of the ends 5 and 6 by 10% to 15%, in particular by 14%, of their layer thickness S.

[0023] The two pads 11 and 12 themselves are arranged insulated against each other, as opposed to the pad construction according to DE 34 19 967 C2.

[0024] The novel construction of the core is particularly shown again optically in FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0025] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the outer shell of the joint 1 is comprised of the two half-shells 7 and 8, whereby their plane of separation Y (FIG. 2) is extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation X. Each half-shell is provided in this connection with a reinforcing segment 9 and 10, respectively.

[0026] Now, the details of the construction of the reinforcing segment 9 are shown on the half-shell 7 in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0027] A bore 13 with the base 14 of the bore is present within the segment 9 of the half-shell 7, whereby the base of the bore is forming the peripheral limitation of the outer shell. In this connection, the bore is arranged corresponding with the associated stud, whereby the corresponding pad is received in the associated bore (FIG. 1).

[0028] Now, FIG. 10 shows a joint 15, whereby a sliding bush is inserted in the interior of the core 2 perpendicular to the axis of rotation X for receiving free of force in one direction a cylindrical component 17. The core 2 with the two studs 3 and 4 in anchored as an integrated part of the sliding bush by means of a ring flange 19. The sliding surface 20 is located between the sliding bush and the cylindrical structural component.

[0029] The core 2 with the two studs 3 and 4 may be designed in the form of a spherical segment as well. List of Reference Numerals and Letters 1 Joint (first exemplified embodiment) 2 Core 3 Stud 4 Stud 5 End of stud 6 End of stud 7 Outer shell (half-shell) 8 Outer shell (half-shell) 9 Segment of half-shell 10 Segment of half-shell 11 Pad made of elastomeric material 12 Pad made of elastomeric material 13 Bore 14 Base of bore (peripheral limitation) 15 Joint (second exemplified embodiment) 16 Sliding bush 17 Cylindrical structural component 18 Anchoring element (anchoring ring) 19 Flange (ring flange) of sliding bush 20 Sliding surface D Stud diameter S Layer thickness of pad X Axis of rotation Y Plane of separation between the two half-shells 

1. A joint (1, 15) with an axis of rotation (X) comprising the following structural components: A core (2) made of metal or plastic; an outer shell (7, 8) made of metal or plastic as well; as well as a pad (11, 12) made of elastomeric material that is arranged between the core and the outer shell; characterized in that the core (2) is provided with two studs (3, 4) arranged vertically at 180° from each other and extending in the direction of the axis of rotation X; the outer shell is comprised of two half-shells (7, 8), whereby each half-shell is provided with a reinforcing segment (9, 10); whereby a bore (13) with a bore base (14) is present within each segment; and whereby the corresponding stud (3, 4) penetrates the associated bore; and that the studs (3, 4) each are surrounded by a pad the latter being received in this connection in the respective bore; whereby, furthermore, the two pads are arranged insulated against one another.
 2. The joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the core (2) has a cylindrical shape.
 3. The joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the core has the shape of a spherical segment.
 4. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the studs (3, 4) have a substantially circular cross sectional shape.
 5. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shape of the ends (5, 6) of the studs is convex.
 6. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ends (5, 6) of the studs and the associated base (14) of the bore have a corresponding surface structure.
 7. The joint according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plane of separation (Y) of the two half-shells (7, 8) is extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X).
 8. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contour of the pads (11, 12) has the shape of a cup.
 9. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ratio of the stud diameter D and the layer thickness S of the pads (11, 12) amounts to D:S=2:1 to 6:1.
 10. The joint according to claim 9, characterized in that the ratio of the stud diameter D to the layer thickness S of the pads (11, 12) amounts to D:S=3:1 to 5:1.
 11. The joint according to claim 10, characterized in that the ratio of the stud diameter D to the layer thickness S of the pads (11, 12) amounts to D:S=4:1.
 12. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pads (11, 12) are initially tensioned in the direction of the associated stud ends (5, 6) by 10 to 15% of their layer thickness S.
 13. The joint according to claim 12, characterized in that the pads (11, 12) are initially tensioned in the direction of their associated stud ends (5, 6) by 14% of their layer thickness S.
 14. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a sliding bush (16) for receiving in one direction free of force a cylindrical structural component (17) is inserted in the interior of the core (2) perpendicular to the axis of rotation X.
 15. The joint according to claim 14, characterized in that the core (2) is anchored on the sliding bush (16) as an integrated part of the sliding bush (16) by means of a flange (19) and an anchoring element (18).
 16. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it is applied in a device for driving along the gudgeon in a rail-borne vehicle. 